The runoff for the second at-large division seat on the New Orleans City Council heated up this week with Jason Williams formally accusing Cynthia Hedge-Morrell of election-day shenanigans during the Feb. 1 primary.

As voters headed to the polls that day, Williams' campaign began fielding calls that described Hedge-Morrell, the incumbent District D councilwoman looking to jump to an open at-large seat, knocking on doors in the Guste High Rise in Central City - on floors just above the complex's polling station.

According to Williams' complaint, poll watchers believed Hedge-Morrell was violating state law that keeps politicking 600 feet away from any polling station. Williams' filing states that the councilwoman was warned to come no closer to the housing tower than the Simon Boulevard neutral ground.

Hedge-Morrell's campaign has brushed off Williams' complaint as a political stunt.

"Jason William (sic) is attempting to get free media attention and distract voters from his record of unpaid taxes and unethical behavior," the campaign said in a statement. "While Mr. Williams' 'complaint' is a political stunt, Council member Hedge Morrell was visiting constituents across the city on election day, including residents of Guste. She takes pride in the fact that as a public servant she still cares what the average citizen has to say. This city is diverse and she wants to make sure she doesn't only hear from the influential citizens. She will continue to do that and abide by all election laws."

One complaint in particular made the incident a family affair for Hedge-Morrell. One observer tried to contact the city's chief election officer to draw attention to the councilwoman's alleged tactics. That election officer happens to be Hedge-Morrell's husband, Arthur Morrell. Williams' filing stated that Morrell has taken no action so far.

Williams' attorney, Lance Unglesby, filed formal accusations with Secretary of State Tom Schedler, Orleans Parish Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux and the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters. He has also requested surveillance video of that day from the Housing Authority of New Orleans, which manages the Guste High Rise, and public records from Morrell regarding the complaints.

Williams filed his complaint Tuesday (Feb. 18). WVUE-TV was first to report on the alleged incident.

The election is March 15. This is Williams' first bid for a seat on the council.